Let's talk royals

Month: May 2015

The princely little poppets of Monaco were baptized in a Catholic ceremony today, and I think this is the first time I’ve seen Princess Charlene so friggin’ happy.

Gabriella Thérése Marie and her younger brother (by two minutes) Jacques Honoré Rainier Grimaldi were born on December 10th, 2014. Because of male primogeniture, Jacques is heir to the Monegasque throne.

The christening was live-streamed, according to People, showing off two five-month-olds with growing personality. Jacques was described as “wide awake and playful” as he was carried into the Cathedral of Monaco by his mother, while Gabriella snoozed in her dad, Prince Albert’s arms. Continue reading →

There is no better way to bid adieu to a country than to be proposed to, as was the case with Prince Harry today in Australia. After his month-long attachment to the Australian Defense Force wrapped up, Harry greeted throngs of people outside the famous Sydney Opera House today.

“All it’s done is made me not want to finish my military career,” Harry, who announced back in March that he’d be leaving the army, said of his time with the ADF. “I’ve been so well looked after.” Continue reading →

Following Charlotte’s May 2nd birth, Evans’ Windsor-based luxury brand introduced a new limited-edition candle known simply as “Charlotte.” Each of the 100 candles is hand-signed and marked with an edition number.

“We essentially wanted to created a modern, fresher take on the classic cotton fragrance to represent the fresh, white cotton we imagine Charlotte will be wrapped in,” a rep for Heir & Grace explained via email. Continue reading →

Childbirth, as miraculous natural as it may be, is a bitch. It’s arguably one of the most dangerous things a woman can do, and one’s body takes its time going back to normal. And so, it’s little wonder that many of us were impressed with the Duchess of Cambridge’s turnaround time last Saturday.

According to a group of women in Russia, however, there is no way Catherine was able to walk out of the Lindo Wing and show off her newborn daughter wearing a yellow and white dress.

Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda featured comments submitted by female readers who had serious doubts about the timeline of events surrounding Princess Charlotte‘s birth.

The readers claimed it was “impossible” for Catherine to give birth at 8:34am and walk out of the hospital a mere ten hours later looking as radiant as she did. Continue reading →

She’s had a brief audience with the Queen, received two visits from her paternal grandfather, and has spent extended time with her maternal granny, Carole Middleton. Now, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge is en route to Anmer Hall in Norflk, a wedding gift from Her Majesty.

The couple pulled out of Kensington Palace today in their range rover, with the back windows blacked out to provide privacy for Prince George and Charlotte. Catherine wore Beulah London’s “Brisa” scarf and her Annoushka pear-shaped pearl earrings, while William was at the wheel.

Anmer Hall, a ten-bedroom mansion, sits on the Queen’s Sandringham Estate. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been overseeing renovations on the home, previously occupied by Prince Charles’ good friend, the late Hugh van Cutsem and his wife, Emilie, among other tenants. Continue reading →

Today marked a big day for Princess Charlotte of Cambridge. Her dad formally registered her birth at Kensington Palace, as he did with Prince George in 2013, and great-granny popped by for a short visit.

According to the Daily Express, Her Majesty was driven to her grandson’s home at 2:35pm this afternoon and stayed for about 20 minutes. Continue reading →

I asked royal commentator and former resident of Kensington Palace, Victoria Arbiter to give her thoughts on the newest Cambridge’s name, Charlotte Elizabeth Diana.

“William and Kate’s decision to name their daughter Charlotte Elizabeth Diana has largely been met with worldwide praise,” Arbiter told me via email. “With a long royal history it is a traditional name that offers the continuity the monarchy is famed for, while also paying tribute to both families. Charlotte, the feminization of Charles, is also Pippa Middleton‘s middle name.”

Historical references: “George III was married to a Charlotte. They met on their wedding day and enjoyed a very happy marriage, complete with 15 children. George III bought Buckingham House for his wife, which, today, is the site of Buckingham Palace. Queen Charlotte is the monarchy’s longest serving consort after Prince Philip.” Continue reading →

I just got off the phone with nana (the one who sent me a congratulatory email when the royal baby was born) and she was rather pleased to see that the Duchess of Cambridge put a bonnet on her daughter’s head. Continue reading →